ARPA: Library Space and Safety Improvement Grant

Nicolet Library System (Nicolet), in coordination with Winnefox, Manitowoc-Calumet, and Outagamie Waupaca Library Systems, was awarded $200,000 in grant funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (LS250245OLS21) through the Wisconsin Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant program.

Nicolet administered the grant, including making all of the purchases and managing the administrative requirements of the grant. This allowed the libraries to take advantage of the funding without having to expend valuable staff time to do so.

Specifically, the funding provided for improvements to existing library spaces by providing modular furniture, mobile shelving units and meeting room enhancements. The pandemic highlighted the fact that libraries have inflexible furniture and shelving, which prevented restructuring the library space so it could be used in a safe way (e.g. socially distanced).

Due to the continuance of the pandemic, the need for flexible settings continues. This flexibility will not only allow the library to adapt during the current pandemic, but will also allow it to rapidly adapt to new and challenging situations in ways we may not even be able to envision. This flexibility will ultimately create fewer service interruptions for patrons when crises arise.

Libraries also need to be able to offer patrons fully functioning meeting rooms, which can meet the new demand for virtual and hybrid meetings. Meeting room enhancements will allow patrons to participate in their communities in ways never allowed for before. Providing a space for patrons to attend a virtual meeting in the library will allow for greater collaboration for those who are geographically separated and will allow patrons to participate in meetings from home if in-person meetings pose a health risk. Meeting rooms can also provide much needed privacy for patrons for telehealth, court appearances, remote consultations with job search experts and a variety of other private appointments. In the long run, allowing for flexibility in the library building will also make the library safer for patrons with accessibility issues because the space can be modified to meet their specific needs.

Below are short summaries highlighting different ways some of the 68 participating libraries used the grant funding.

Kewaunee Public Library

Kewaunee Public Library used grant funding to add additional furniture to its children's section. This grant allowed the library to offer up-to-date, flexible soft seating in its children's area.

The flexibility and ease of movement of the furniture allows library staff to change the area as they change the different interactive play centers they feature for young patrons.

Children enjoy the seating for reading and visiting with friends.

Lena Public Library

The Lena Public Library used the grant funding to purchase new furniture.

The new armchair is an after-school favorite of tweens, and parents also use it for a more supportive seat nearby during Storytime.

The ottomans have been a big hit - they're great for the Storytime area, especially since they're large enough that kids can sit with caregivers and read together. In the lounge area, adults can rest their device (or their feet) and kids can join adults without the other furniture being "too tall" for them.

Hortonville Public Library

The Hortonville Public Library used the grant funding to purchase sound panels for its conference room. The sound panels will help sound-proof the library's meeting room and allow more library users to use the space for tele-health visits and other remote meetings. The library also purchased an electronics charging station, which allows library users to charge their devices while working in the library.

Lester Public Library (Two Rivers)

The Lester Public Library used the grant funding to purchase modular meeting room tables. The tables will provide more flexibility for board meetings, public meetings and staff use.

Sturm Memorial Library (Manawa)

The purchase of magboxes (magazine holders) for the Sturm Memorial Library fulfilled a plan that was developed during a Re-design class at UW-Madison.

The library staff was able to turn a cluttered, dreary magazine display area into a visually appealing display that promotes the magazine collection and stores the magazines in a way that will increase use. The staff loves the magboxes - they are sturdy, easy to take off the shelves and put back in place, and stay in place with grips on the bottom. The magboxes will also give staff flexibility to move the magazines if necessary in any future re-design projects. They could not be happier with them.

Kimberly Public Library

Kimberly Library received two mobile display shelving units and one white board on wheels.

The white board on wheels is being used to promote library programs, like a life-sized calendar of events that people can see as they enter the library.

The display shelves in the kids area and in the area are for new books and special displays.

The library also received large, smart screen monitor and Meeting Owl (video conferencing system) that will improve the quality of hybrid meetings so that picture and sound quality is a good experience for all attendees whether they attend in person or remotely. So far, library staff used it with the book club, and they LOVE IT!

Oakfield Public Library

Oakfield Public Library has an updated and more comfortable feel since the installation of the furniture it received through this grant.

Its fireplace area is particularly enhanced. The four chairs provide small groups a very welcoming spot to gather.

Weyauwega Public Library

The Weyauwega Public Library used the grant funding to purchase a mobile display unit and additional seating with charging stations. With the items they received, library staff was able to create a nice little seating area for people to read the newspapers and magazines in the library with the two powered chairs. The library is using its new rolling display as a seasonal display currently for Christmas books with a few shelves for return items that patrons have decided not to check out.

Many favorable comments on both sections of the library. The library staff is very pleased with their items.

Kaukauna Public Library

The Kaukauna Public Library used the grant funding to purchase acoustic panels for its meeting and study rooms. The library consistently gets complaints about how loud its study rooms are because they are just drywall and some of them are next to each other.

With ARPA funds, it was able to add soundproofing panels to all four of its study rooms, something it would not have had the capacity to do without the grant. Patrons are very thankful for the added soundproofing.

Algoma Public Library

The Algoma Public Library used grant funding to purchase two bookshelves. The library was running out of room for its graphic novel collection in its children and teen sections.

With these new bookshelves, library staff were able to move them from their existing crowded space and put all of of the graphic novels and manga in one location.

Gillett Public Library

The Gillett Public Library used grant funding to purchase two new task chairs it would not otherwise have been able to afford. The chairs will allow staff to offer assistance to patrons throughout the library while being able to sit. Staff and patrons greatly appreciated the new chairs.

Spillman Public Library (North Fond du Lac)

Spillman Public Library used the grant funding to purchase two mobile bookshelves that now house much of its DVD collection, which makes searching for titles much easier than the VHS spinner racks they had been located on previously. The library also received office chairs that are being used for two public computer stations and in the office for seating for guests when they have meetings.

Muehl Public Library (Seymour)

The Muehl Public Library used the grant funding to purchase a new touchscreen, interactive monitor for its conference room.

"It feels so great to have our new wall monitor installed at our library. Leslie on staff enlisted the help of a friend, Darren, to do the install for us. As it happened, the monitor was sorely needed since our SmartBoard was no longer serviceable. The point is that COVID stinks. But we are grateful to all of the hard working librarians, especially at the library systems level, who are persevering and making good things happen."

Little Chute Public Library

The Little Chute Public Library used the grant funding to purchase a new seating area for kids using our grant! The space is very much enjoyed by kids of all ages.

Florence County Library

Florence County Library used the grant funding to purchase new shelving in its kids' sections. It looks great and provides tons of flexibility for the space!

Ripon Public Library

The Ripon Public Library used grant funding to purchase a large display monitor for promoting library events and services at the circulation desk. Library staff have received a lot of great comments about the display!

The library also purchased a projector which can be lent out to patrons and four chairs with built-in outlets and USB charging ports for patron use while working at the library.

Leon Saxeville Library (Pine River)

The Leon Saxeville Library used the grant funding to purchase mobile shelving, study carrels and a mobile divider.

The rolling book display (far left) has the Children’s area separated behind the shelf. Two new public computer carrels allow more privacy in a compact space and the rolling white board has many uses, including separating the director’s office area from the rest of the Library. "Thank you so much!"

Manitowoc Public Library

The Manitowoc Public Library used the grant funding to purchase two youth chairs, two privacy booths, an ottoman, and a Meeting Owl (video conferencing system).

The youth chairs are used at the Wii station and the privacy booths are near the adult newspapers and magazines.

The flexible, mobile furniture allows the patrons move the ottoman all over the library to wherever they need it. All of the items will enhance the patron experience at the library and provide better communication/customer service. "We have received many compliments from patrons!"

Coloma Public Library

The Coloma Public Library used grant funding to purchase new mobile furniture and technology.

The grant allowed the library to have a check out section specifically for the kids. Now they can see up when they check out. The table is also great for outdoor activities; you simply unlock the wheel and put the table in the upright position and out the door you go. Also pictured is the staff chair that replaced the broken one, a definite improvement. The projector also replaced one that no longer worked properly and has been used by the library and the community for several events. "Thank You!"

Caestecker Public Library (Green Lake)

At the Caestecker Public Library in Green Lake, the library's new bright and comfortable rockers enabled staff to rearrange shelving, open the space up, and add color and functionality to their teen landing zone.

"Our students can now do homework, play games, chat with their friends, or just settle in with a good book in their new space and they love it!"

Ethel Everhard Memorial Library (Westfield)

The Ethel Everhard Memorial Library used the grant funding to purchase a mobile book display and mobile tables. The book display will be used in the adult section of the library. The tables are foldable and have wheels and have been a large asset to the library's multipurpose space, as well as its computer stations. They are used by patrons everyday throughout the library. "Having the ability to move and modulate our furniture configuration is a huge advantage to our community members."

Carter Memorial Library (Omro)

"On behalf of the Carter Memorial Library in Omro, we are grateful for the grant funds to purchase computer desks for our patrons to use as the previous ones were coming apart. We also appreciate the funds to purchase inviting chairs for our patrons to relax in as they read, work on laptops or enjoy some library time. Thank you!"

Shiocton Public Library

"Here at the Shiocton Public Library, we have been putting our grant-funded furniture to work! The display shelf gives an opportunity to create displays to visually appeal to children with our picture books. The other side of the display faces our DVD section and is used to showcase different DVD collections such as Family comedies, Crime Dramas and Christmas Movies. I am grateful to have a display to use with children that is safe! Won't tip or fall like some of the "put together" furniture. Additionally, we have our new tables in our community room and they have gotten much use by library Storytimes, community meetings such as the Legion Auxiliary and our county's Family Services social workers for family visits. We appreciate the grant very much to give our library a much-needed upgrade and more inviting look that would not have happened without the grant!"

Campbellsport Public Library

"The Campbellsport Public Library is thankful for the ARPA Grant, which allowed us to buy two gray rocker chairs that have been placed into our young adult reading section as seating for our teen readers. We also received five mobile training tables which fold up in a matter of seconds! These tables roll and will be a great addition to our library for many programs and projects."

New Holstein Public Library

"The New Holstein Public Library used the grant funding to purchase a wide variety of furniture. Our computer area is being transformed from a packed space with computer desks side by side to cozy and flexible/distanced desks, computer chairs and and comfortable but mobile lounge chairs thanks to the grant funds. We also were able to add a rocking chair and ottoman in the kids area and they get tons of use! Every day after school there are children enjoying the space."

Clintonville Public Library

The Clintonville Public Library used the grant funding to purchase new seating areas for all ages throughout the library. Library patrons enjoy the new options for seating that are more comfortable and provide privacy and space for doing work on mobile devices

Black Creek Village Library

The Black Creek Village Library used the grant funding to purchase three tables and the four study desks which can easily be moved and reconfigured for programs, meetings, and activities.

Suring Area Public Library

"With the ARPA grant, the Suring Library was able to purchase two chairs (with USB ports to plug in devices) and an ottoman which we were able to add to our Young Adult (YA) area. We were also able to purchase wood book cases that we have our board books in which is in the children's area. What a great addition to our library!"

Montello Public Library

"The Montello Public Library used the grant funding to purchase mobile bookshelves and a new display monitor. We are planning to use the 55" monitor to enhance or storytimes with occasional videos and to stream programming for library patrons. The two mobile displays are a wonderful addition to our meeting room/book sale area and will make the room more versatile because the displays can be moved wherever we need them to go. Thank you!"